Apparatus for preventing fuel spillage

ABSTRACT

An apparatus is provided for preventing the spillage of fuel into the water or onto a marine vessel when filling a fuel tank on the vessel. A vent line is coupled between the fuel tank and a vent port of the vessel, at least one valve assembly is coupled within the vent line, and an overflow container is coupled within the vent line between the valve assembly and the vent port. The valve assembly defines a drain hole for permitting small quantities of fuel, gases and/or vapors to pass through the valve assembly and into the overflow container. A fill container defines an inlet port for receiving a fuel nozzle to fill the fuel tank with fuel, and an outlet port coupled in fluid communication with a fill line for the passage of fuel between the fill container and the fuel tank. A by-pass line is coupled between the fill container and the overflow container for the passage of overflow fuel through the fill container, and an indicator system is mounted within the fill container for signaling to an attendant when the fuel tank is filled. Upon filling the fuel tank with fuel, the overflow fuel backs up into the fill container, and in turn flows through the by-pass line and into the overflow container. The backed-up fuel also activates the indicator system for signaling to the attendant to turn off the fuel nozzle, and the drain hole permits the backed-up fuel in the fill container and fill line to drain downwardly into the fuel tank.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 07/910,619, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,322,099 entitled"APPARATUS FOR PREVENTING FUEL SPILLAGE", filed on Jul. 9, 1992 in thename of Joseph R. Langlois.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to fuel systems and, more particularly, toapparatus for preventing spillage from fuel systems, such as fuelsystems on marine vessels.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A typical vessel with an inboard fuel tank has a fuel port located onthe deck, which is coupled by a fuel inlet line to the fuel tank (belowdeck) for filling the tank with fuel. At least one vent line is alsotypically coupled on one end to the fuel tank and coupled on the otherend to a vent port, which is located below deck but above the water lineof the vessel. The vent port is provided to permit fuel vapors to escapefrom the fuel tank and also to permit any excess fuel (e.g., whenfilling the fuel tank, when there is thermal expansion of the fuel, oragitation of the fuel in rough seas) to flow out of the tank. Whenfilling such prior systems with fuel, the attendant typically determineswhen the tank is full by watching the vent port to see when the fuelbegins to flow through the vent port into the water. This is a majorcause of water pollution in marinas.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome many of thedrawbacks and disadvantages of prior fuel systems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to an apparatus for preventing fuelspillage on a marine vessel. The apparatus comprises a vent line coupledbetween a fuel tank and a vent port of the vessel and at least one valveassembly coupled within the vent line for preventing an overflow of fuelfrom the fuel tank from passing through the vent port into the water. Avent container or overflow reservoir is coupled between the valveassembly and the vent port of the vessel for collecting any fuel and/orvapors passing through the valve assembly. The apparatus furthercomprises a fill container defining a first aperture for receiving afuel nozzle to fill the fuel tank with fuel, and a second aperture forcoupling the fill container in fluid communication with the fuel tank topermit fuel to pass between the fill container and the fuel tank and tocollect excess fuel within the fill container upon filling the fuel tankwith fuel.

The valve assembly defines a first fluid passageway between inlet andoutlet ports, and includes a first valve member for preventing thepassage of fluid through the first fluid passageway in response to theflow of fuel into the valve assembly. In a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, the first valve member is a ball valve. The valveassembly preferably also includes a second valve member for opening asecond fluid passageway between the inlet and outlet ports in responseto the pressure on the inlet side of the valve assembly exceeding athreshold value. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, thesecond valve member is a pressure-relief valve. The pressure-reliefvalve preferably includes a valve seat and a weighted member coupled tothe valve seat, the weighted member being lifted away from the valveseat in response to the pressure on the inlet side of the valve assemblyexceeding the threshold value. The valve assembly also preferablydefines a drain hole for permitting the passage of fuel, gases, andvapors through the valve assembly when the first and second valvemembers are preventing the passage of fluid through the first and secondfluid passageways.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the apparatuscomprises two valve assemblies, the first valve assembly being coupledbetween the fuel tank and the vent container, and the second valveassembly being coupled between the vent container and the vent port.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus furthercomprises a fill tube seated within the first aperture of the fillcontainer and extending into the interior of the fill container forreceiving the nozzle to fill the fuel tank with fuel. The fill tubepreferably includes a plurality of apertures for permitting the passageof fuel, vapors and gases between the fill tube and the interior of thefill container. The apparatus of the present invention preferablyfurther comprises a fill plug for seating within the second aperture ofthe fill container, to close the second aperture and remove the fillcontainer from the vessel without spilling any fuel. The first apertureis preferably dimensioned to permit the fill plug to be passedtherethrough to seat the fill plug within the second aperture. In oneembodiment of the present invention, the fill plug includes aliquid-displacement portion which projects into the fuel fitting uponseating the fill plug within the second aperture. Theliquid-displacement portion displaces the fuel in the top of the fuelfitting into the fill container to further prevent the spillage of fuelupon removal of the fill container.

Another embodiment of the present invention includes a by-pass linecoupled between the fill container and the overflow reservoir to permitthe passage of any backed-up fuel entering the fill container to flowthrough the by-pass line and into the overflow reservoir. In thisembodiment, the fill container is mounted below the deck of the vessel,and the apparatus preferably includes an indicator system for signalingto an attendant when the fuel tank is filled with fuel. The indicatorsystem may comprise a float-activated visual indicator, which is drivenupwardly through the fuel fitting on the vessel in response to the entryof overflow or backed-up fuel into the fill container.

One advantage of the apparatus of the present invention, is that thevalve assembly prevents any overflow fuel from the fuel tank fromspilling through the vent port into the water. Rather, once the fueltank is filled, the overflow fuel flows into the fill container,signaling to the attendant to turn off the nozzle. The drain hole in thevalve assembly then permits the excess fuel to slowly pass through thevalve assembly and into the vent container, which in turn permits theoverflow fuel in the fill container and fuel fill hose to drain into thefuel tank. The attendant can then simply remove the empty fill containerand close the fuel fitting without spilling any fuel, or when the fillcontainer is mounted below deck, simply close the fuel fitting. If forsome reason the drain hole in the valve assembly becomes blocked, or theexcess fuel is not otherwise permitted to pass through the valveassembly into the vent container, then the second aperture on the fillcontainer is closed, preferably with the fill plug, and the fillcontainer with the overflow fuel is removed from the vessel, or when thefill container is mounted below deck, any such excess fuel flows intothe overflow reservoir through the by-pass line. Thus, with theapparatus of the present invention, a fuel tank can be filled on anytype of vessel without spilling the fuel either into the water or ontothe vessel. The apparatus of the present invention also preventsspillage of fuel when there is thermal expansion or agitation of thefuel in rough seas.

Other advantages of the apparatus of the present invention will becomeapparent in view of the following detailed description and accompanyingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus embodying the presentinvention for preventing the spillage of fuel from a marine vessel.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the lower valve assembly of theapparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the upper valve assembly of theapparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the fill container of the apparatusof FIG. 1 illustrating the fill tube mounted within the container forreceiving a fuel nozzle to fill the fuel tank with fuel.

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the fill plug of the apparatus of FIG.1.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the fill container of the apparatusof FIG. 1 illustrating the fill plug seated within the bottom of thefill container to seal the container.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an apparatusembodying the present invention for preventing fuel spillage.

FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 7,illustrating in further detail the under-deck fill container and by-passline for the passage of overflow fuel from the fill container into theoverflow reservoir.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional, elevational view of the lower valveassembly of the apparatus of FIG. 7 with the central axis of the valveassembly tilted about 30° toward the surface of the paper.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional, elevational view of the lower valveassembly of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In FIG. 1, an apparatus embodying the present invention is indicatedgenerally by the reference numeral 10. The apparatus 10 includes a fillcontainer 12, which is provided for collecting any excess fuel whenfilling a fuel tank 14 of the vessel. The fill container 12 is seatedwithin a fuel fitting 16 located on the vessel, which is coupled by afill hose 18 to the fuel tank 14. A vent hose 20 is coupled on one endto the fuel tank 14 and is coupled on the other end to a vent port 22,which is located in the side of the vessel above the water line. A ventcontainer 24, lower valve assembly 26, and upper valve assembly 28 arecoupled within the vent line 20 for preventing any fuel from escapingthrough the vent line and into the water, as is described further below.It is noted that although the apparatus of the present invention isdescribed with reference to a fuel system on a marine vessel, it isequally adaptable for use with other types of fuel systems forpreventing spillage, such as underground fuel tanks.

The lower valve assembly 26 is illustrated in further detail in FIG. 2,and is provided to prevent any significant flow of fuel into the ventcontainer 24. The valve assembly 26 includes two channels, one channelincludes a ball valve 30 and the other channel includes apressure-relief valve 32. The pressure-relief valve 32 includes a valveseat 34, a weighted member 36 defining a recess for receiving the valveseat 34, and a gasket 38 located within the recess. The lower valveassembly 26 also includes an inlet port 40, an outlet port 42, a firstdrain hole 44 located next to the pressure-relief valve 32, and a seconddrain hole 45 formed within the wall between the ball valve 30 and thepressure-relief valve 32. The drain holes are provided to permit smallquantities of fuel, gases and vapors to flow through the valve assemblywhen the valve assembly is closed, as is described further below.

In the normally closed position of the pressure-relief valve 32, asshown in FIG. 2, the weighted member 36 and gasket 38 are seated againstthe valve seat 34, thus closing the valve. The weighted member 36 isindexed to permit the opening of the pressure-relief valve 32 when thepressure on the inlet port 40 exceeds the pressure on the outlet port 42by a threshold quantity. In the embodiment of the present inventionillustrated, this threshold is approximately 2.5 to 3 psi. As will berecognized by those skilled in the art, this pressure setting may varydepending upon the particular fuel system.

When fuel flows from the fuel tank 14 into the inlet port 40, the ballvalve 30 is closed, thus closing the valve assembly 26, and permittingthe fuel, gases and/or vapors to slowly pass only through the firstdrain hole 44 and second drain hole 45 into the vent container 24. Onlyif the pressure on the inlet side of the valve assembly 26 exceeds 2.5psi (or other threshold setting), does the pressure-relief valve 32 openand permit the fuel and/or vapors to flow freely from the fuel tank 14into the vent container 24. As also shown in FIG. 2, the valve assembly26 includes screens 46 on either side of the ball valve 30 andpressure-relief valve 32 to prevent debris from interfering with theoperation of the valves.

In FIG. 3, the upper valve assembly 28 is illustrated in further detail.The upper valve assembly 28 is essentially the same as the lower valveassembly 26, except that the valve assembly 28 does not include a drainhole 44. The same reference numerals are therefore used to indicate thecomponents of the upper valve assembly 28 corresponding to the samecomponents of the lower valve assembly 26. The upper valve assembly 28is provided as a safety back-up valve. If the overflow of fuel doesreach the upper valve assembly 28, the upper ball valve 30 closes andprevents the fuel from flowing through the vent port 22 and into thewater. Only excessive over-pressure (e.g., greater than 2.5 psi, orother pressure-relief setting) will open the upper pressure-relief valve32.

Turning to FIG. 4, the fill container 12 is shown in further detail, anddefines a first threaded aperture 48 on one end of the container, and asecond threaded aperture 50 on the other end of the container. The firstthreaded aperture 48 is provided to receive a fill tube 52, and thesecond threaded aperture 50 is provided to receive a fill plug 54, asshown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The bottom side of the fill container 12includes a fuel-fitting adapter 56, which includes a male-fittingportion 58 shaped to be seated within the fuel fitting 16 on the vessel.A gasket member 60 is seated around the male-fitting member 58 to sealthe interface between the fuel-fill adapter 56 and the fuel fitting 16on the vessel. The male-fitting member 58 may be threaded as shown inFIG. 4, if there are corresponding female threads on the fuel fitting 16of the vessel. A pair of handles 62 are provided on the sides of thefill container 12, and a pair of end caps 64 are provided for closingthe open ends of the fill container 12 when not in use, as shown in FIG.6.

When filling the fuel tank 14, the end caps 64 are removed, the filltube 52 is threaded into the first threaded aperture 48, as shown inFIG. 4, and the male fitting 64 is seated within the fuel fitting 16 onthe vessel, as shown in FIG. 1. The attendant can use the handles 62 torotate the male fitting 58 of the fill container 12 into the fuelfitting 16 to securely seat the fill container in place. The attendantthen inserts the nozzle into the fill tube 52 and begins to pump thefuel, as shown in FIG. 1. When the fuel tank 14 becomes full, the fuelthen flows into the vent line 20 and inlet port 40 of the lower valveassembly 26, and in turn closes the ball valve 30. Both thepressure-relief valve 32 and ball valve 30 are then closed, permittingthe fuel to slowly pass only through the drain hole 44, and in turnthrough the drain hole 45 and into the vent container 24. Because thesystem is being filled with fuel relatively rapidly (typically about 30gallons per minute) and the drain hole 44 is relatively small, the fuelthen quickly backs up into the fill container 12, signaling to theattendant to turn off the nozzle.

As shown in FIG. 4, the fill tube 52 includes several spaced holes 66 topermit air to pass up through the fill tube 52 and into the fillcontainer 12, and thus prevent any fuel from flowing directly up thefill tube and out of the container. Because of the pressure differentialcreated by the overflow fuel in the fill container 12, fuel slowlypasses through the drain hole 44 and into the vent container 24, whichin turn permits the overflow fuel in the fill container 12 to drain intothe fill hose 18. The attendant then simply removes the empty fillcontainer 12 and closes the fuel fitting 16 without spilling any fuel.

The pressure-relief valve 32 typically does not lift because thepressure at any point in an open system (i.e., with the fuel fitting 16open) is based on the difference in height between the level of fuel inthe fill container 12 and the point in the system. The pressure-reliefsetting of the valve 32 (and/or the installation height of the valve 32)is selected so that the pressure at the valve 32 is normallysignificantly below the pressure-relief setting (e.g., 2.5 to 3 psi)when the fill container 12 is partially filled with fuel. If, however,the pressure within the system exceeds the threshold pressure of thepressure-relief valve 32, the valve opens and the fuel is permitted toflow into the vent container 24. The upper valve assembly 28 thenprevents the fuel from flowing beyond the vent container 24, unless thepressure within the vent container exceeds the pressure setting of theupper pressure-relief valve 32.

If for some reason the overflow fuel does not drain from the fillcontainer 12 into the system (e.g., if the drain hole 44 becomesblocked), then the attendant removes the fill tube 52 from the fillcontainer 12, and inserts the fill plug 54 into the second threadedaperture 50 on the bottom of the fill container 12, as shown in FIGS. 5and 6. The threaded plug 54 includes a threaded portion 68, which isscrewed into the threaded aperture 50 to seal the bottom of the fillcontainer 12. The fill container 12 can then be removed from the fuelfitting 16 without spilling any of the fuel. As also shown in FIGS. 5and 6, the fill plug 54 includes a liquid-displacement portion 70located below the threaded portion 68, which is provided to displacesome of the fuel within the fuel fitting 16 into the fill container 12when the fill plug 54 is inserted. Several channels 72 are formed withinthe threaded portion 68 to facilitate the flow of fuel from the fuelfitting into the fill container. Thus, when the fill container 12 isremoved from the vessel, the fuel level within the fuel fitting 16 willbe below the top of the fuel fitting, thus further preventing thespillage of fuel if the vessel is rocked before the fuel fitting isclosed.

Accordingly, a significant advantage of the apparatus of the presentinvention, is that the fuel tank 14 can be filled without spilling anyfuel onto the vessel or into the water. The vent container and valvearrangement within the vent line also prevents any fuel from spillinginto the water if there is thermal expansion of the fuel or agitation ofthe fuel in rough seas. As the level of fuel in the fuel tank 14decreases, then any fuel in the vent container 24 is permitted to flowthrough the ball valve 30 and back into the fuel tank. The unique designof the fill container and fill plug also prevents any fuel fromoverflowing from the fill hose and spilling onto the vessel or into thewater when the fuel tank is filled.

Turning to FIGS. 7-10, another embodiment of the present invention isindicated generally by the reference numeral 110. The apparatus 110 issimilar in many respects to the apparatus 10 described above, andtherefore like reference numerals preceded by the numeral 1 are used toindicate like elements. The apparatus 110 differs from the apparatus 10in that the fill container 112, which defines a smaller volume incomparison to the fill container 12 described above, is mounted belowthe deck, and a by-pass line 174 is coupled between the fill containerand the vent container or overflow reservoir 124 for accommodatingoverflow fuel entering the fill container, as is described furtherbelow.

As shown in FIG. 8, the fill container 112 includes an inlet port 148coupled to the fuel fitting 116, a first outlet port 150 coupled to thefill hose 118, and a second outlet port 176 coupled to the by-pass line174. The fill container also defines a substantially tubular portion 178extending between the inlet port 148 and first outlet port 150, thusdefining a relatively slender shape facilitating ease of installation ina variety of vessels.

As also shown in FIG. 8, the fill container includes an indicator systemfor indicating to an attendant when the tank 114 is filled with fuel,which includes a float 180 coupled to a visual indicator 182 by means ofa rigid wire 184. The fill container 112 defines a float chamber 186formed between the second outlet port 176 and the tubular portion 178for receiving the float 180. The float chamber 186 is coupled in fluidcommunication with the tubular portion by means of a plurality ofapertures 188 formed through a wall separating the tubular portion andthe float chamber for receiving overflow fuel entering the fillcontainer. An elongated slot 190 is also formed through the wallseparating the float chamber and the tubular portion for receiving thewire 184 and permitting movement of the indicator system upwardly towardthe fuel fitting 116 in response to the flow of overflow fuel into thefill container. The indicator 182 is made of an elongated strip ofplastic or metal, which can be visually recognized by an attendant whendriven upwardly through the fuel fitting 116 in response to theintroduction of overflow or backed-up fuel into the fill container, asis described further below.

As shown typically in FIGS. 9 and 10, each valve assembly 126 and 128 isformed principally of substantially tubular components in order toreduce manufacturing costs, and provide a relatively slender shape forfacilitating ease of installation in a variety of vessels. Although onlythe lower valve 126 is illustrated in detail, the upper valve isidentical to the lower valve in all respects, except that the uppervalve does not include a drain hole 144 for permitting the passage ofoverflow fuel and gases through the valve.

The lower valve 126 includes a tubular outer wall 192 formed in thisinstance by a section of fuel hose, which may be the same type of tubingas used for the fuel hose 118. The lower valve also includes an innerwall defined by an upper plastic tube 194 and lower plastic tube 196,both slidably received within the outer wall tubing 192. A plastic valveseat 198 is seated between the upper and lower inner tubes, and thevalve seat and inner wall tubes are fixed in place by a pair of metalclamps 200, each metal clamp being wrapped around the outer wall tubingadjacent to either the upper or lower inner tube.

The ball valve 130 includes a ball housing formed by another section ofcylindrical plastic tubing 202, the outer surface of which is spacedinwardly relative to the lower inner wall tubing 196, and defines anannular passageway 204 for the passage of fuel and/or vapors around theball valve. The lower screen 146 covers the end of the ball housing 202and the entrance to the annular passageway 204 to prevent the passage ofdebris through the valve, and to retain the ball 205 within the housing202. The plastic valve seat 198 defines a central aperture 206 extendingtherethrough for receiving the ball 205 to close the ball valve, and forthe passage of fuel therethrough when the ball valve is open.

As also shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the valve seat 134 for thepressure-relief valve 136 is formed by a section of cylindrical metaltubing extending through the plastic seat 198 and projecting upwardlyinto the recess of the weighted member 136. The gasket 138 is formed bya plastic washer seated around the metal tubing 134, and interposedbetween the weighted member 136 and plastic seat 198. The drain hole 144is also formed by a piece of cylindrical metal tubing extending throughthe plastic seat 198. Another screen 146 covers the entrance to theupper plastic tube 194 to prevent the passage of debris through theother side of the valve, and a wider mesh screen 147 covers the topsurface of the valve seam 198 to provide structural support. In theembodiment of the invention illustrated, the inner wall tubing and ballhousing are each made of FRP tube, the plastic washer is made ofpolyurethane, and the metal tubes and screens are made of stainlesssteel. These particular materials are only exemplary, however, beingselected based on considerations of availability, cost and durability,and as will be recognized by those skilled in the art numerous othermaterials may be employed.

In the operation of this embodiment of the present invention, anoperator fills the fuel tank 114 with fuel by inserting a fuel nozzle(not shown) into the fuel fitting 116 and introducing the fuel throughthe fuel hose 118 and into the tank. When the tank is full, the fuelenters the vent line 120 and flows into the inlet port 140 of the lowervalve 126. The overflow fuel causes the ball valve 130 to close bydriving the ball 205 against the valve seat 198, which in turn blocksthe aperture 206. Both the pressure-relief valve 132 and ball valve 130are then closed, permitting the fuel to slowly pass only through thedrain hole 144 into the overflow reservoir. Because the system is filledwith fuel relatively rapidly (typically about 30 gallons per minute) andthe drain hole 144 is relatively small in diameter, the fuel thenquickly backs up into the fill line 118 and fill container 112.

The backed-up fuel enters the lower portion of the fill containercausing the float 180 to rise, and in turn drives the visual indicator182 upwardly through the opening of the fuel fitting 116 and exposingthe indicator to the attendant. If the attendant does not shut off thefuel nozzle immediately, the fuel continues to flow into the fillcontainer, through the second outlet port 176 and by-pass line 174, andinto the overflow reservoir 124. Preferably, the vent line 120 definesan end portion 208 illustrated in dashed lines in FIG. 8, which projectsinto the reservoir 124 and terminates immediately above the base of thereservoir. In this way, any overflow fuel in the reservoir is drawn backinto the main fuel tank 114 as the engines require fuel. Because theline 208 terminates near the bottom of the reservoir, air is notpermitted to enter the vent line until the reservoir is empty. Becauseof the pressure differential created by the backed-up fuel in the fillhose 118 and fill container 112, fuel slowly passes through the drainhole 144 and into the overflow reservoir 124, which in turn permits thefuel in the fill container and fill hose to drain downwardly toward thefuel tank.

One advantage of this embodiment of the present invention, is that thefill container is relatively small, and is preferably designed tocapture only enough fuel to float the visual indicator. In thisembodiment, the fill container holds about 6 to 8 liquid ounces forperforming this function, and the fill bottle itself is about 4 inchesin maximum diameter, and about 7 inches long. Any excess overflow fuelis by-passed through the fill container to the by-pass line and into thereservoir, which, in effect, operates as a small fuel tank when holdingthe overflow fuel. Because the by-pass feature permits the fillcontainer to be significantly reduced in size, the ease of installationof the apparatus in a variety of vessels, particularly smaller vessels,is enhanced. Depending upon the size of the fuel tank and/or the vessel,the volume of the overflow reservoir can be designed to provide plentyof time for an operator to shut-off the fuel nozzle before the reservoiris filled with overflow fuel.

This description of the preferred embodiments of the present inventionis to be taken in an illustrative, as opposed to a limiting sense. Forexample, it may be desirable to provide the indicator system with anaudible alarm activated by the float, for example, instead of the visualindicator only. It may likewise be desirable to form the overflowreservoir as an integral part of the main fuel tank in newinstallations, wherein the fuel tank would be defined by a firstcompartment and the overflow reservoir would be defined by a secondsmaller compartment. Thus, as will be recognized by those skilled in thepertinent art, numerous modifications may be made to these and otherembodiments of the present invention without departing from the scope ofthe appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for preventing spillage of fuel on amarine vessel, comprising:an overflow reservoir coupled in fluidcommunication between a fuel tank and a vent port of the vessel; a fillchamber defining an inlet port for receiving a fuel nozzle to fill thefuel tank with fuel, and an outlet port for coupling in fluidcommunication with the fuel tank for the passage of fuel between thefill chamber and the fuel tank; a first valve assembly coupled betweenthe fuel tank and the overflow reservoir and including a first valvemember for preventing the flow of fuel in the direction from the fueltank toward the overflow reservoir, wherein the first valve assemblyincludes an inlet port and an outlet port, and defines a first fluidpassageway in fluid communication with the inlet and outlet ports, andthe first valve member prevents the flow of overflow fuel through thefirst fluid passageway in the direction from the fuel tank toward theoverflow reservoir, and the first valve assembly further defines asecond fluid passageway in fluid communication with the inlet and outletports for permitting the flow of overflow fuel through the valveassembly in the direction from the fuel tank into the overflow reservoirwhen the first valve member is preventing the passage of fuel throughthe first fluid passageway.
 2. An apparatus for preventing fuel spillageon a marine vessel, comprising:an overflow reservoir coupled in fluidcommunication with a fuel chamber of a fuel tank and a vent port of thevessel; a fill chamber coupled in fluid communication with an inlet portfor receiving a fuel nozzle to fill the fuel chamber with fuel, and anoutlet port for coupling in fluid communication with the fuel tank forthe passage of fuel between the fill chamber and fuel tank; a fuel fillline coupled in fluid communication between the fill chamber and fueltank; a first valve assembly coupled in fluid communication to the fueltank and to the overflow reservoir and including a first valve memberfor preventing fuel flow into the overflow reservoir and in turn causingfuel to back up into the fuel fill line upon filling the fuel chamberwith fuel; means for draining overflow fuel from the fuel fill line uponfilling the fuel chamber with fuel, and in turn draining the fuel intothe overflow reservoir for preventing fuel spillage when filling thefuel chamber with fuel; and a second valve assembly coupled between theoverflow reservoir and the vent port for preventing the passage of fuelfrom the overflow reservoir through the vent port.
 3. An apparatus asdefined in claim 2, wherein the means for draining includes an overflowline coupled between the fill chamber and the overflow reservoir for thepassage of overflow fuel from the fill chamber into the overflowreservoir.
 4. An apparatus as defined in claim 2, further comprisingmeans for indicating the presence of backed up fuel in the fuel fillline upon filling the fuel tank with fuel.
 5. An apparatus as defined inclaim 4, wherein the means for indicating includes a float memberreceived within the fill chamber, and means coupled to the float memberfor indicating the presence of fuel in the fill chamber.
 6. An apparatusas defined in claim 5, wherein the means coupled to the float memberincludes an indicator member received through the inlet port and movablewith the float member between a retracted position within the inlet portand extended position extending through the inlet port.
 7. An apparatusas defined in claim 2, wherein the second valve assembly includes apressure-relief valve member for opening the second valve assembly topermit fluid flow therethrough in response to the pressure on the inletside of the second valve assembly exceeding a threshold level.
 8. Anapparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the second valve assemblyincludes a ball-valve for preventing fluid flow therethrough in responseto fluid flow into the inlet side of the second valve assembly.
 9. Anapparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein the fill chamber is adapted tobe mounted beneath a deck portion of the marine vessel and the inletport is adapted to extend through the deck portion for receiving a fuelnozzle to fill the fuel tank with fuel.
 10. An apparatus for preventingfuel spillage on a marine vessel, comprising:a fuel inlet port forreceiving a fuel nozzle for supplying fuel; a fuel tank defining a fuelchamber and coupled in fluid communication with the fuel inlet port; afuel fill line coupled in fluid communication between the fuel inletport and the fuel chamber; a vent port coupled in fluid communicationwith the fuel chamber; a fuel overflow reservoir coupled in fluidcommunication between the vent port and the fuel chamber; first meanscoupled between the fuel chamber and the overflow reservoir forpreventing fuel flow from the fuel chamber into the overflow reservoirupon filling the chamber with fuel and in turn causing fuel to back upinto the fuel fill line; second means for draining the fuel from thefuel fill line upon filling the fuel chamber with fuel, and in turndraining fuel into the overflow reservoir to prevent fuel spillage whenfilling the fuel chamber with fuel; and a first valve assembly coupledbetween the fuel tank and the overflow reservoir and including an inletport and an outlet port, and wherein the first means includes a firstvalve member for preventing fluid flow through a first fluid passagewaydefined between the inlet and outlet ports in the direction from thefuel tank toward the overflow reservoir, and the second means includes asecond fluid passageway defined between the inlet and outlet ports forpermitting fluid flow through the first valve assembly in the directionfrom the fuel tank into the overflow reservoir when the first valvemember is preventing fluid flow through the first fluid passageway. 11.An apparatus for preventing fuel spillage on a marine vessel,comprising:a fuel inlet port for receiving a fuel nozzle for supplyingfuel; a fuel tank including a fuel chamber coupled in fluidcommunication with the fuel inlet port; a fuel fill line coupled influid communication to the fuel inlet port and the fuel tank; a ventport coupled in fluid communication to the fuel tank; a fuel overflowchamber coupled in fluid communication with the vent port and the fuelchamber; first means coupled in fluid communication with the fuel tankand overflow chamber for preventing fuel flow into the overflow chamberupon filling the fuel chamber with fuel and in turn causing the fuel toback up into the fuel fill line; second means for draining the fuel fromthe fuel fill line upon filling the fuel chamber with fuel, and in turndraining fuel into the overflow chamber to prevent fuel spillage whenfilling the fuel chamber with fuel; and a valve assembly coupled betweenthe overflow chamber and the vent port for preventing the passage offuel from the overflow chamber through the vent port.
 12. An apparatusas defined in claim 11, wherein the second means includes a bypass linecoupled in fluid communication between the fuel fill line and overflowchamber for draining backed up fuel from the fuel fill line into theoverflow chamber.
 13. An apparatus as defined in claim 12, furthercomprising a fill chamber coupled in fluid communication with the fuelinlet port, the fuel fill line and the bypass line for receiving backedup fuel in the fuel fill line and permitting the same to drain into thebypass line.
 14. An apparatus as defined in claim 13, further comprisinga float member received within the fill chamber and means coupled to thefloat member for indicating the presence of backed up fuel in the fillchamber.
 15. An apparatus as defined in claim 12, further comprising avalve assembly coupled to the fuel tank and the overflow chamber, and adrain hole defined within the valve assembly for permitting fuel todrain through the valve assembly from the fuel chamber into the overflowreservoir.
 16. An apparatus as defined in claim 15, wherein the valveassembly defines another fluid passageway coupled in fluid communicationto the fuel chamber and the overflow chamber, and the first meansincludes a valve member preventing fuel flow through said other fluidpassageway in the direction from the fuel chamber into the overflowchamber.
 17. An apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein said valveassembly includes a pressure-relief valve member for opening the valveassembly to permit fluid flow therethrough in response to the pressureon the inlet side of the valve assembly exceeding a threshold level. 18.An apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein said valve assemblyincludes a ball-valve for preventing fluid flow therethrough in responseto fluid flow into the inlet side of the valve assembly.
 19. Anapparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein the overflow chamber isdefined by an overflow container external of the fuel tank.
 20. Anapparatus as defined in claim 11, further comprising a second valveassembly coupled to the fuel tank and to the overflow chamber, andwherein the first means includes a first valve member of the secondvalve assembly for preventing fuel flow through a first fluid passagewayof the second valve assembly and into the overflow chamber and in turncausing fuel to back up into the fuel fill line, and the second meansincludes a second fluid passageway formed by the second valve assemblyfor permitting fuel to flow through the second valve assembly in thedirection from the fuel chamber into the overflow chamber when the firstvalve member is preventing the passage of fuel through the first fluidpassageway.